Match Report – Bolton Evening News – 22/10/1883

Blackburn Rovers v Southport – As was expected, the Blackburn Rovers had an exceedingly easy task on Saturday in defeating Southport in the first round of the competition for the Football Association Challenge Cup. But the visitors played so well in defence of their goal, and the Rovers were so weak in attack, that the meeting, on the Leamington ground, only resulted in favour of the Rovers by seven goals to none.”

(Bolton Evening News – Monday 22 October 1883)